Review Detail

Just excellent. A movie I used to be obsessed with around the time of its release but I've found difficult to re-watch in subsequent decades for the very reason this edit exists -- the schmaltzy jingoism of its bookend scenes. With those and other scenes deleted, the film's titular mission becomes much more ambiguous (at least for the characters involved) and we're left with the same question as the characters in the film as to whether or not Ryan "earns it" beyond the battle to save a bridge.

A great movie made flawless. I was surprised at how much of this movie and its dialogue and even specific line readings had stuck with me over the years. I look forward to going back to it again and again, via this cut.